The opening ceremony
of the London Olympic Games took place on Friday night. The event started with Britain's
first ever Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins ringing a huge bell. After
that came songs and images from the four countries of Great Britain –
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There followed images of British
history from Shakespeare's times to the industrial revolution to punk,
Harry Potter and digital Britain. There was a special tribute to inventor
of the worldwide web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee.
The three-hour event was
officially opened by Britain's
Queen Elizabeth II, who said: "I declare open the Games of London, celebrating
the 30th Olympiad of the modern era." The Olympic flame
arrived by a boat steered by English soccer player David Beckham. Seven young
athletes lit the Olympic Cauldron, made from 204 copper petals
carried in by teams from across the world. Then the fireworks lit up the sky
around the Olympic Park. The ceremony ended with Sir Paul McCartney and the
audience singing Hey Jude.
Vocabulary
expansion:
ceremony: an event to make something official
take place: to happen
image: a picture,
especially on film or television or in a mirror
industrial revolution: 2. revolution - a very important
change in the way people think or do things
a very important change in the way people think or do things 1. industrial - connected with industry (the production of
goods in factories)
punk: a style of music and fashion in the 1970s which
was wild and loud
tribute: something which
you do or say to show that you respect and admire someone, especially in a
formal situation:
inventor: someone who designs and makes new things
declare: to announce something publicly or officially
celebrate: to do something
enjoyable because it is a special day, or because something good has happened
Olympiad: an occasion on which
the Olympic Games are held
(modern) era: a period of time in history
lit - light: to make
something start burning
cauldron: a large, round metal pot that is used for
cooking over a fire
petals: the thin, flat,
coloured parts on the outside of a flower
(lit) light up: to make bright or
to cast light on
